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What about Pokémon Go? What about going to the movies? What about a leader taking a Trailman “under his wing” to give him individual swimming lessons or helping him to work on a Trail Badge in the leader’s home?

TLUSA’s policies – including the Health and Safety Guide – are focused on “Trail Life activities” or events within the program of Trail Life USA – which is one of the reasons, for example, that “family camping” is not an authorized activity. Other youth-serving organizations have suffered extensive litigation, losses of confidence, and financial losses due to their failure(s) to maintain – and communicate – the line between what is “within the program” and what is not. Parents and youth are likely to assume that the same protections are in effect based upon the persons (e.g., adult leaders) involved, rather than focusing on the activity or the location of the activity.

The Trail Life USA Health and Safety Guide references Unauthorized Activities, Restricted Activities and Unrestricted Activities. Anything not listed is to be dealt with individually, per the HSG requirement that “activities not listed in the unrestricted, restricted, or unauthorized list must be specifically approved by the TLUSA Home Office.”

Frequently, volunteers, teachers, mentors or ministry leaders are known to the child’s family – and may even have a prior (or current) relationship with the family or the child completely outside of TLUSA. Any contact “outside” of the Trail Life USA program creates a liability for the Charter Organization and therefore requires clear understanding between parents, children, Troop leadership and the Charter Organization that those activities/events are not Trail Life activities and thus may not be conducted consistent with TLUSA policies, guidelines and values. This puts the responsibility squarely on the child, parents and the Charter Organization (if sanctioned by it).

All activities should be approved by the Troop Committee and Charter Organization. Additionally, all rules and requirements of the Charter Organization and/or any facility/camp being attended must be followed, even if they exceed or go beyond the Trail Life USA Health and Safety Guide or Trail Life USA policies.

It is recommended that Trail Life Troops should limit contact between volunteers and youth to TLUSA-sanctioned activities and programs and/or to certain locations, such as activities within the buildings and locations that have been inspected and approved by the Troop and Charter Organization or Trail Life activities.